Media
Ten Thousand Villages And The Fair Trade Movement
Did you know that the global fair trade movement began with the founding of Ten Thousand Villages more than 60 years ago? Pioneering businesswoman Edna Ruth Byler was struck by the overwhelming poverty she witnessed during a 1946 trip to Puerto Rico and was moved to take action. She ignited a global movement to eradicate poverty through market-based solutions. For the next 30 years, Byler worked tirelessly to connect entrepreneurs in developing countries with market opportunities in North America. From humble beginnings, Ten Thousand Villages has now grown to a global network of social entrepreneurs working to empower and provide economic opportunities to artisans in developing countries.
Bill Henderson, store manager, and founding member Norene Kanagy share fair trade principles, the history, and mission and tell the local history of the formation of the Ten Thousand Villages store at 303 S. Main St., Ann Arbor.
Media
A Look back at Visions 2014
On May 14th, AADL held its Biennial Visions Vendor Fair at Washtenaw Community College. Over 500 people attended the event, which was cosponsored by the State of Michigan’s Bureau of Services for Blind Persons and Washtenaw Community College and funded in part by the Friends of AADL and the Ann Arbor Host Lions Club.
Here is a quick look back at the VISIONS 2014 Vendor Fair: What's New In Technology And Services for the Blind And Visually Impaired
Media
I Remember When: Do You Remember?
Host Ted Trost introduces I Remember When, a seven-part film series about Ann Arbor history created in conjunction with the city's sesquicentennial celebrations in 1974. In this episode, titled "Do You Remember?," Trost takes viewers on a tour of Ann Arbor history through photographic images of early settlers, churches, and businesses; the Ann Arbor Police Force; University of Michigan football and campus; Drake's Sandwich Shop; the construction of Nichol's Arcade; the Arcade Theater; and the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Trost also talks with University of Michigan Professor Douglas Crary, chair of the Sesquicentennial Commission, about how Ann Arbor got its name, the Sesquicentennial Commission's goals, and its companion book, Ann Arbor Sesquicentennial Journal.
Produced and Directed by Dale E. Throneberry
Executive Producer : Catherine Anderson
Graphic Artist: Darcy E. Engholm
Sponsored by the Ann Arbor Public Library, with help from the Ann Arbor Sesquicentennial Commission and the University of Michigan Speech Department.
Media
I Remember When: The Business Community
In this episode, John Hathaway talks about the Staebler family and some of the early businesses in Ann Arbor; John Feiner recalls his grandfather's start as a cobbler; former council member, H. C. Curry, recalls his experience in the Carpenter's Union and on the Human Rights Commission; and former city administrator, Guy Larcom, talks about city planning, historic buildings, and the importance of city improvements.
Written and produced by Steve Fenwick
Directed by Ray Lukasavitz
Exec producer: Catherine Anderson
Sponsored by the Ann Arbor Public Library, with help from the Ann Arbor Sesquicentennial Commission and the University of Michigan Speech Department.
Media
AADL Talks To Bill Hart of Seyfried Jewelers
Bill and Jim Hart have owned Seyfried Jewelers in Downtown Ann Arbor for more than 35 years. The store closed in December 2013 after 100 years in Ann Arbor.
Bill talked with AADL about taking over the shop from the Seyfried family, the longevity of the store, how selling jewelry becomes a lifelong relationship with the customer and the changes to retailing in Ann Arbor.
Media
Fine Cameras and How They Are Made
The Argus C-Four takes center stage in this promotional video for Argus Cameras. The narrator intones, "It takes three things to make a fine camera . . ." and with that launches into a highly technical and detailed description of every step in the camera-manufacturing process at Argus Cameras of Ann Arbor. Scenes of the scientists and craftsmen creating the Argus C-Four are interwoven with scenes of customers using the camera to take family photos and outdoor shots. The easy-to-use, lightweight Argus cameras revolutionized photography, essentially creating "popular photography." Enjoy this pre-Mad Men video, visit AADL's Argus Camera online exhibit and take a walk over to the Argus Museum for even more Argus history.
27:09 min. c.1953
Media
Argus Eyes for Victory
It is hard to overstate the breadth and speed of the transition to defense manufacturing that occurred in the United States during World War II. America went from building cars to tanks, farm equipment to bazookas, three-piece suits to combat uniforms. Locally, companies like American Broach, Ford Motor and Killins Gravel took on defense contracts and hired thousands of workers to support the "Arsenal of Democracy" that was Michigan in the 1940s. Argus Camera had a unique role, inventing and manufacturing new optical equipment that sighted guns, photographed enemy installations and recorded the war. Argus became one of the largest employers in Washtenaw County, bringing an unprecedented number of women into the skilled labor force and creating a social fabric within the company and the community that would last for generations. This video, produced after World War II, recounts the "miracle of production" that earned Argus several E Awards for excellence in design and manufacture of war-related materiel. The video captures the post-war economic optimism while paying tribute to the soldiers, inventors and labor that became known as the Greatest Generation. Visit AADL's Argus Camera online exhibit or take a walk over to the Argus Museum for even more Argus.
19:11 min.
c. 1945
Media
AADL Talks To Heritage Business Owner David Vogel of Vogel's Lock & Safe
Four generations of Vogels have been giving Ann Arbor what they want and need since 1913, changing the business with the tastes and tempo of life in the town. We talked to David Vogel, the 3rd generation of Vogel's Lock & Safe, who retired and handed over the business to the 4th generation, Rob and Denise Vogel, some years back. Dave has done a lot of research on the family's coming to Ann Arbor area over a hundred years ago and has collected a trove of documents, photos and family stories and shares them with us in this podcast.
The Vogel's began fixing, building and re-building "anything and everything mechanical" that farmers and businesses brought to the shop. Dave gave us a tour of the building's back rooms that house some of the equipment used back then and we've put a selection of those images up with the podcast. The business eventually changed to safes and locks and Dave talks about the "dividing line" in the 1960s, when the townspeople and students at the University of Michigan began asking for locks and deadbolts instead of sporting goods and bicycles. Dave has some interesting stories to tell about raids with the FBI and opening safes with the U.S. military.
The family is one of the older Ann Arbor "townies" and Dave keeps up with the other families that built the businesses, homes and neighborhood that define Ann Arbor. Dave talks about hunting where Pioneer High School now sits, living through World War II in Ann Arbor and the way local heritage businesses still depend on each other for support and growth.
Media
Privatization Of Government Services
Privatization of services is a growing trend in today's government. But, what factors should be identified when considering privatizing departments or functions? What policy issues should be considered in connection with transferring these departments/functions to a company within the private sector?The League of Women Voters is currently undertaking a study of privatization to examine these issues as well addressing the community impact and strategies to ensure transparency and accountability. Join the League as they host this community forum, which features panelists: 1st Ward Ann Arbor City Council Member - Sabra Briere; Former Washtenaw County Administrator - Bob Guenzel; Ann Arbor Public School Board Member - Susan Baskett; and Lois Richardson who serves as mayor pro tem of the city of Ypsilanti and is in her third term on the city council. This event is cosponsored by the Ann Arbor Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.
Media
Meet Johnny of Johnny Cupcakes!
Johnny Earle, founder and creator of Johnny Cupcakes Inc., will talk about his unique approach to business and branding, and how he turned his T-shirt empire into what it is today! Johnny Cupcakes is a clothing brand founded in 2001 by Johnny Earle. The line includes t-shirts, shorts, sweaters, jewelry, undergarments, and pins. Its flagship stores are located in Boston, Massachusetts and Los Angeles, California, with another shop in Hull, Massachusetts and another opening in London. In 2008, BusinessWeek placed Earle at the top of its "Best Entrepreneurs 25 and Under" list, highlighting his company's quality products, imaginative promotion, and insistence on self-sustenance. In 2009, Johnny Cupcakes was placed at #237 on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing private companies in the U.S. The magazine listed the clothing brand as having a nearly 915% growth rate over the previous year. Find out why Johnny is in such demand! Johnny's team will be selling T-shirts and Johnny will sign and meet with fans after the talk.